The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-05-14
A NIGHT WITH IRISH pIPERs.
The Marvellous Melody Produced by
John Egan and T. F. Kerrigan.

"Haye YOU ever heard the Irish bag
pipes"
81 don't know. They are the same as the
Scotch pipes, are they not"
Decidedly not. But if you want real
treat in the way of an evening of Irish
music played by an Irishman upon the Irish
mines meet me this evening at P. B. Ecan's
E6rnucopia. John Egan, who is probably
the greatest Of living bagpipers, will be
there"
The speaker was cultivated Irish gentle
man. himself d fine musician, and an en-
thusiast in the music of his native land. His
evening invitation was accepted. y num-
her of ladies' and gentlemen had already as
sembled upon invitation OF Mr.. ?. B. Egan
The piper and his pipes were likewise there
As the reporter and his friend entered the
room the strident tones of the tuning pipes
had already set the sound waves in UniVer-
sity place to dancing i'll wild confusion.
The piper, with head thrown back and
ewes cast upward, began the "Conlin.n AS
the weird and fascinating strains, played by
a master hand, were heard, all yielded to
the influence. Heads, hands and feet re-
sponded to the enticementS of the air, while
the glistening eyes of the natives of Ireland
attested the charm which the national
music has for Erins's sons.
s'There's history in that tune" said the
friend. ''The 'Conlin' means the lad with
the flowing locks Henry VIII. ordered
the locks of the Irish to be sholn. After
the edct was carried out the Irish were
called 'Croppies.' The, air, of course, be
came greatly endeared to the oppressed of
Ireland, and has lived to this day, although
the original words have been LOST
While the "Conlin" was being played the
reporter had full opportunity to note the
difference between the Scotch and Irish
pipes. The shrill, piercing quality of the
Scotch pipes was lacking In its place was
more pleasing musical tone. The Scotch
pipes can be heard further, but unlike them,
the Irish pipes do not need distance to lend
enchantment to the sound.
Again the pipes were adjusted, and st,1e
Pretty Girl Milking the Cow" was played
with all the attractiveness of skill and feel
ing. kathleen Mavourneenn gains a new
mournfulnesS and sweetness when played
upon the pipes. Garry Owen and pat
Malloy" are themselves alone when the
piper pictures them to the ear. These, and
many other airs the piper played, all of
boyhood's happy days and scenes. Then
came the ''Blackbird."
CHATS q treason song" said the friend.
'The Irish adherents of the Stuarts had a
Il song set to that air. The words were treas
enable, from an English point Of view, and
ere long the air itself was called the same
Many an Irishman has languished for weeks
h and months in a noisome prison for simply
whistling or humnIing that tune"
The music was ended. The green goose
4 with the long neck had collapsed into an
Il empty green silk bag. The dismembered
pipes repoSed in their case. The white
4 haired piper received the reporter and his
4 congratulations with a friendly greeting
4 and smile.
eyes, sir; these pipes were made in this
q country by William Taylor, of Philadel-
a man here who can tune the improved Irish
4 pipes. 1t costs me S65 to get these pipes
tuned. Taylor has made great improve
mentS in the pipes He has increased their
4 register and has provided a full supply of
tones and semi-tones. Any kind of music
can be played upon an instrument like this.
The pipes in use at home are crude affairs,
little suited to anything but Jig music.n
Come now" said the friend, when the
twain were again in the open air. ''We
4 will take this car and go up to Forty-sec-
a ond street and see t. f. Kerrigan. the other
Of the two great Irish pipers 1t makes me
sad osee how the pipers are dying out on
the other side. The harp which was once
the glory OF Ireland hes long been practi-
cally banlshed from all quarters save the
flag. And now the pipes are daily growing
lage had its piper and the dance at the
cross roads by moonlight was the delight
OF every lad and lassie's heart
Then, and for centuries before it was ex-
pected that the piper's son would be piper
All that is changed now. The boys are off
Tor America. Only few feeble old men
are left, sole reminders of the devoted class
VINO have piped to victory the Irish armies
OF the past, who in time of rebellion have
been the trusty messengers on dangerous
errands, and who in the days of peace and
decadence have helped to tighten
somewhat the heavy burdens of the
IRISH peasant. 1t seems almost incredible to
me that bigotry and intolerance could ever
DC carried to the extent Of considering the
toik songs of Ireland and the pipes Papisti-
cai and detestable. Yet such was the fact
You viii find Irish history after the English
domnation full of incidents relating to the
punishment of pipers. Their pipes were
er0hen and the pipers themselves unnerci-
IulIy beaten on that ground alone.n
>, short walk from the car took the two to
herrlgan's Pleasant Hour, where the piper
can be heard every night. "St. Patrick's
"a" was carrying all the hearers with it
When the reporter entered, The piper sat
upon raised platform at the end of long
room, across which ran benches we'll filed
WIN lovers of the music of Ireland. Young
ahd OLD were there, but the relish with
'llch the music was received fully compen-
@,eu Tor any disparity in age.
MT kerTigan played a number of airs
well de is master of the pipes, and
cl9sely crowds the Piper Egan, who has the
advantage of greater age and experience.
!, MY people have been pipers for more
! tnan 700 years." said Mr.. Kerrigan at an
interval of rest. 'NIy father taught me the
art. Icame to this country in 1865, and
spent the first five years in travel
mg' | have played the pipes in all
le leading cities and villages of
I1e land. Eleven years / have been here,
paying almost nightly for my friends /
Ia, nave heard from many places where played
wheh on my tour. IN several of them, after
my exhibition, fathers have secured pipes
ana set their sons to work to learn the in
alunent. The attempt has been failure
uiough, so that Egan and | are the only
plPers in the country"
r. by request, Mr.. Ker1igan PLAYED "The
MMarp That Once Through Tara's Halls
me effect was marvellous. The feet
winch had just been attuned to rollicking
Jlg Were lent. The hum of conversation
geased. Ihe moulnful melody had acquired
Increased mounfulness from the pipes.
some OF the older heads were bowed,
whlle adown more than one furrowed
meek the furtive tear traced its
slsuehlng course. One old gentle
man with antique stovepipe bat, high collar
and old-fashioned stock, Shook his head at
intervals wifi, q